Root Just getting started

[Mr. Monkey]

Just joined the forums, and I'm ready to get started. I just switched from the iPhone 3gs, to the Moto Droid. I loved jailbreaking, so I'm sure I'll love rooting... but it seems like the process is very different. Hopefully someone can just get me pointed in the right directions. I've been reading online through guides of how to gain root... here's what I've understood:
1. I'm running 2.1.1, so I need to downgrade to 2.0.1 using RSD Lite.
2. From there I need to root 2.0.1.
3. Then flash a ROM.

Hopefully there is no problem posting links on these forums, but these are the guides i'm following.

http://androidforums.com/all-things...an-live-without-fear-bricking.html#post370253

Root Motorola Droid on Android 2.0.1 | Redmond Pie

But I've noticed on almost every guide to root the 2.0.1 the second link is missing for the 2.0.1 OTA update. What do I do from there?

I'm also looking for a good ROM. I've only heard of Smoked Glass, and Bugless Beast. Any suggestions?

 

[Fabolous]

Seems like you've done your research, which is a good thing. Here's a quick way to get a rooted 2.1, from which you can then install ROM manager and get a custom ROM running:

http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-droid/78548-how-easier-method-root-2-1-a.html

Basically the same method as you outlined, except the update.zip file will both update you to 2.1 ESE81, as well as root you.

As for ROMs, there are plenty of good ones out there: Bugless Beast, CyanogenMod, Smoked Glass, Succulent Desire, etc.

Everyone has their own opinions. You will probably need to try a few before you decide which one you like the best.

 

[King_Bean]

Here's an alternate way to do it:

YouTube - Flashing SPRecovery SBF File to a Motorola Droid

This thread basically describes what he did in the video:

http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-droid/63010-how-install-sprecovery-unrooted-2-1-ota.html

Whichever method you use, make sure to download LauncherPro from the market. It will give your Droid the "snappiness" you're accustomed to coming from an iPhone 3GS.

EDIT: I see that the link Fab posted shows a rooting method that looks ridiculously easy. I didn't even know about it. I'd go with that if I were you.

 

[King_Bean]

Actually, you don't have to be rooted to use LauncherPro.

 

[StingRay]

Welcome Mr. Monkey!

There are a lot of good members here that can really help you...I've benefited from alot of info from these fine folks...

As far as ROMs go....Cyanogenmod, BBv1.0, and Nexbeast are my recommendations....all run great and have good support....find the one that runs best on your phone....

good info here and on other forums as well....Kellex at Droid-Life has some great videos on just about everything....helped me originally decide to root....

enjoy!

 

[King_Bean]

+1 for NexBeast, which is just a themed version of BB V1.0 with a few extras.

 

[Mr. Monkey]

The fab method seems easy enough. I think i'll take the dive today.
As far as paid apps go, they are tied to my gmail account, right? So I can redownload them?

 

[Mr. Monkey]

I was just reading over these guides a little more... so basically what fab's method would do is downgrade me to 2.0.1 non-rooted. then i force the update with a custom 2.1?? is that right? and the 2.1 is pre-rooted?

 

[Fabolous]

I was just reading over these guides a little more... so basically what fab's method would do is downgrade me to 2.0.1 non-rooted. then i force the update with a custom 2.1?? is that right? and the 2.1 is pre-rooted?

Yeah, that update.zip file is just the 2.1 OTA update, but with the su binary and Superuser.apk slipped into it. It is still properly signed, and therefore can be flashed with the stock recovery.

The end result it 2.1, with root.

 

[King_Bean]

The fab method seems easy enough. I think i'll take the dive today.
As far as paid apps go, they are tied to my gmail account, right? So I can redownload them?

Yes, your paid apps should reappear.

Fab pretty much described it but you're going to use RSD to flash the 2.0.1 SBF file. Once you're back at 2.0.1, you're going to place the modified update.zip on your SD card like the thread specifies. You will reboot into recovery and flash the modified update.zip (which contains root access). That's about it. Man, that's simple!

 

[Mr. Monkey]

Yeah, that update.zip file is just the 2.1 OTA update, but with the su binary and Superuser.apk slipped into it. It is still properly signed, and therefore can be flashed with the stock recovery.

The end result it 2.1, with root.

Sweet and simple...

Basically:
1) downgrade
2) use fab's 2.1 method
3) flash nexbeast

So I dont have to install busybox, or make a custom recovery, right? Do I still need to block OTA updates?

 

[Fabolous]

You don't really need to worry about any of that. Once you have root access, you can install ROM manager, which will install a custom recovery for you. Once you got the recovery, you can install whatever ROM you want (and it will have busybox, etc. preinstalled).

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[Nicks88]

Once you flash your ROM and set it up the way you like, back it up and move onto the next one. I plan on flashing NexBeast once I'm charged up. Best part about backing these up is you can switch back and forth and it keeps everything the way you had it. So if you get bored with one and need a change of scenery, switch to another. Can't get any better than that!

 

[csoga]

Mr. Monkey, with all due respect to the veterans here...

You don't have to bother downgrading to 2.01 first! The idea of having to downgrade is what kept me from rooting for ~2 weeks after I decided I was going to do it.

I followed the first half of This Thread and rooted in less than 1/2 hour after downloading all the files (including the Android SDK). Didn't lose any data, apps, or market links... everything was the same as before.

 

[Mr. Monkey]

I have been reading about the 2D problems that came with 2.1, and decreased fps, and apps crashing... I'm starting to wonder if staying at 2.1 is all that important. Would it make more sense to stick with 2.0.1 rooted until 2.1 is fixed?

 

[ska.t73]

Well if you are worried about the 2d fps problem you could always go to Cyanogenmod... It is built from the AOSP source and does not have the FPS downgrade that comes with 2.1... and it has all the benifits, and more, of 2.1...

 

[King_Bean]

Would you guys mind filling me on on these 2D problems you speak of?

 

[Mr. Monkey]

So I downgrade to 2.0.1. Then I force the update to 2.1 (http://androidforums.com/motorola-d...l-android-2-1-update-motrola-droid-ese81.html) and then I install the cyanogenmod from ROM Manager?

 

[Mr. Monkey]

Would you guys mind filling me on on these 2D problems you speak of?

I didnt know what 2d was like before the 2.1 upgrade... but I noticed while playing games on my new droid that it was very glitchy and games did not run well at all. Then i found out that the fps were reduced from around 60 to 30.
Here's some reading:
Droid 2.1 Android update is killing 2D performance ? Cell Phones & Mobile Device Technology News & Updates | Geek.com